You can absolutely love an artist’s music without knowing anything about their personal life. And you can appreciate an actor’s performances without worrying about how much they’re tipping servers at restaurants. The truth is that no matter how much we think we know about celebrities, we only get to see teeny tiny glimpses into their lives. Unless, of course, we’re lucky enough to run into them in person.
Trey Colbert recently invited viewers to share their wildest celebrity encounter stories on TikTok, so we’ve compiled a list of their juiciest replies. From wholesome experiences where stars bought fans drinks to times celebrities were caught acting entitled and rude, you’ll find all the piping hot tea down below. So enjoy reading through, and be sure to upvote the stories that you find most surprising!
#1
Met Keanu Reeves twice. First time was when I was 15. Had tickets to see a movie at Universal City Walk while on vacation with my family. When we got there, the theater was holding the premiere for the 10th anniversary of Dirty Dancing and Keanu was there supporting Patrick Swayzs. To give some context, Keanu was my celebrity crush as a teenager, so this was a dream come true. We went inside and saw Keanu standing in line to get popcorn. We had gone to see his band play a few months before so my dad called out that we liked Dogstar and Keanu immediately looked up and started chatting with us. Literally the nicest guy ever. This worker kept coming up to him to tell him to take his seat and he kept telling her he’d be there in a minute and then he’d just keep talking with us. I literally called my best friend (who loved him too) collect from a pay phone at the movie theater and cried to her that I had just met him.
87points
#2
Met Pamela Anderson in a restaurant bathroom when I was 18 (long time ago). She saw me staring and looked at me and said “wow, you are absolutely beautiful”. She knew it would boost my confidence. A GEM!!!
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84points
#3
Met Robin Williams in Vegas. He had just finished a standup show in MGM and he came out of the main entrance. I stopped him and asked for a photo and he said he needed to go to the bathroom and asked me to point in the direction of one and he said he’d come back and find me and take a photo after he went to the bathroom. I didn’t believe him but he tracked me down a few minutes later and took a pic! Incredible
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76points
To find out how this conversation started in the first place, we got in touch with Trey Colbert, who was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda.
"I saw a few viral posts about people meeting celebs and figured, why not start our own? The internet always delivers with stuff like this," he shared.
We also wanted to know if Trey has had any celebrity encounters of his own. "Not yet, still waiting on my crazy celebrity moment," he says. "Honestly, I'd lose my mind if I ever met Messie. That's top of my bucket list."
#4
I met Alan Rickman once. He was super shy, gave me an autograph to which I did a backflip & he was flatteres that someone did a backflip for him! He was sweet & a gentleman!
69points
#5
I saw Donald Sutherland at the Sacramento airport. He was drinking a corona at 0800. I went into the restaurant he was at, ordered 2 coronas walked up to him and said, I’m a big fan can I have a beer with ya. He said, “of course”. I sat we chatted and it was awesome. He was nice and super grateful to just have conversation without asking for a photo or autograph.
59points
#6
Before President Obama was president he was a senator in Illinois. He came into my building and used our conference room for a webinar. I had to take him to the room and turn on the stuff. He was very nice.
50points
We also asked the creator what he thought of the replies to his post. "[They] were wild, and I honestly didn't expect there to be so many crazy stories," Trey shared. "I loved reading through them. Some were hilarious, some were wholesome and a few were just plain shocking. I noticed that most of these run-ins happened in restaurants, so apparently grabbing a bite to eat is the secret to meeting a star."
#7
First comment I saw was about Robin Williams but I also have one with him. I was super young at the time but he was filming a scene for the angriest man in Brooklyn with Peter Dinklage and my family walked by the window they were filming in and we got excited to see him. Robin literally interrupted the filming mid scene to come to the window and wave back at my sisters and I, it was the last movie he filmed before he passed so that makes it even more special
48points
#8
Saw Ryan Gosling at Ralph’s he was carrying two ice cream cakes, one in each hand by his head. He looked at me and said, “I know what you’re thinking but these aren’t both for me.” Then kept walking.
46points
#9
Bruce Willis came to my restaurant with his caretaker 3-4 years ago; he got a beer at the bar. I was sitting next to the bar and couldn’t stop looking. He started flirting with me in a sweet way - said that I was so beautiful. He wanted to get a second beer but his caretaker said he needs to take him home
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43points
Finally, Trey wanted to give a thank you to everyone who commented on and shared his post. "These stories made my day. If you've got more, keep them coming."
#10
before my mom passed, my mom and i used to watch criminal minds tg a lot, and her fav character from the cast was sss papa rossi (joe mantegna.) there was a meet n greet for him in long beach and me and my grandpa went to go see him. once i met him i instantly balled out crying bc it’s joe mantegna in the flesh, i tell him about my mom and mentioning we love CM and he’s comforting me then proceeds to ask if my moms name was Jessica. MIND YOU i never told him my mom’s name, he said she had wrote him a letter back in 2012 mentioning how her and her daughter absolutely love the show and him.
42points
#11
Met Emma Thompson in Venice she was the sweetest warm lady. It was really cool because no one really recognised her. Which was nice for her
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40points
#12
I used to have farting contests with Johnny Cash in church when I was a teen.
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40points
#13
I stood talking to Cate Blanchett before getting on a plane and had no idea who she was. She was so friendly and down to earth. Just two mums talking about kids.
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39points
#14
When I was 16, my friend won tickets on the radio to see Weezer play for a crowd of only 100 in an old boxing ring in Philadelphia. We lived outside of Philly and had this kid drive us there. We were stranded and needed my friend’s dad to come get us. Weezer stayed with us until her dad got there. This was one of the best days of my life!
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38points
#15
I asked Alec Baldwin for a picture, he said no. Then he noticed a homeless man next to us, Alec reached into his pocket and pulled our a wad of cash and gave it to the homeless fellow. Alec winked at me and proceeded to get into his limo.
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35points
#16
Saw Bruce Willis at the LAX airport….he was smoking a cigarette and a cop said he couldn’t smoke there and the fine was $250…..he gave the cop $500 and said “here you go because I’m gonna smoke another one after this one”. 😂😂😂😂
33points
#17
I was in a pub in London Graham Norton was there, the pub was shutting, he invited the entire pub back to his house
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33points
#18
Rainy night at a comedy club, some no names doing stand up. Guy walks in, sits at my table and asks for a bottle of grey goose. I drank all night w Robin Williams. Yes we took lots of pics
32points
#19
Lady Gaga did my tattoo in 2011 during the born this way era. Literally one of the most genuine people you’ll meet. So there’s that!
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32points
#20
Years ago my mate stopped to help a couple whose mini had broken down. Turned out to be Paul McCartney and Linda. He managed to get the car going and off they went
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30points